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W. B. SMITH. APPARATUS FOR. SATURATING TIMBER.

No. 62,295. Patented Feb. 19, 1867.

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TO ALL WHOM 1r MAY-consults;

Be it known that I, W., B. SMITH, of La Fayette, in the county of Stark, and State of Illinois, have jnuented mwand nseiul improvement in Apparatus for Saturutiug'iimbcr; and I-dohenbydeclare-the "1 following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, refereiicc being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- My invention consists in forming a portable and convenient apparatus wher'ebytimber may be suturated with substances which possess antiseptic qualities, in solution, without the erection ofcostly apparetus, and

without removing from the spot where cut and prepared for market.

That others may understand my invention, -I willparticularly describe it. My device'is particularly useful in saturating small timbers, such as railroad ties,

application to one of the latter will be closer-lined,though to apply it to larger timbers would simply involve the use of a larger apparatus and a longer period of time, and it would not be advisable to. split a log intended as i v be saturated.

A is a sack of India-rubber cloth, or some cth er'convenientor suitpble water-proof fabric, of about two feet in length, and open at both ends. It should he of sufiieient-circumference' to admit the end of a fence poster railroad tie, say twenty to thirtyinches. Around the opening at one end of the sack A place a metal band l or ring, B, or, if more convenient, a woodenhoop'iiitiy be used. ,To this hoop, B, are attached two or threelegs,

C C, .with sharp-pointed toes, D, turned in at right angles to the shaft of the'leg. The sack A hangs from the t hoop B between these legs, and reaches nearly down to tlie toes D. A stout elastic band, or astout cord or i strap must be provided to tie the lower end of the saclcto the top of the post. A band of flannel or felt inside of the lower end of the sack serves to make the joint more secure.

' ment of the operator.

In saturating timber 'for purposes of preservation against the attack of moisture or insects, it has been.

iop pd advisable to introduce the antiseptic solution within a' short time after the timber has been felled, before v the watery portions of the sap have evaporated and deposited the glutinous portions within the wood cells and; 1

passages, so asto obstruct the introduction of any liquid except under great pressure or by slow degrees. 'When 1 the solutions'are' applied while the sap is still liquid in the wood, thepr'essure due to p. colurnii'of fluid fifteen or twenty inches high will-effectually expel the sap and saturate the wood with theupplied solution in a very short time; in thecase of an ordinary railroad tie or fence post from five to ten 'minutes will suifice to saturate .1 thoroughly, even the bark. My method is as follows: Prepared with a quantity of the desired substance to'be'introduced into the pores and cells of the wood, a vessel in which to prepare the solution, and the sack A, or several of them, if convenient,

I repair to the place wheremy freshly-cut posts are stored. Apost issup ported against some convenient resting.

place, but end uppermost. To this but end I secure the lower end of one of my sacks by slipping the 'end of the sack over the end of the post, and binding it there bythecord or band I then raise thehoopB as high i'es the sides of the sack will permit, and drive the pointed toes D into the side of the post. I have now a. reservoir at the upper end of my post for the reception of the antiseptic solution, which I pour-therein, from the vessel and-leave to do its work while I prepare'another post in like manner. In a fewminu te'e I findthat the sup lies been almostentirely expelled, and the wood is saturated as desired." The solution which remains in the reservoir 3 then be returned to the bucket, andthe sack removed to be applied in liltemunne'r to another'postolf timb l? nient, the only condition being that the saturation should be effected within a few days after being felled, as heretofore explained. This it is seldom inconvenient todo. Slight ch anges may be made in the constrnctidn. of this apparatus without at all departing from the invention; as, if the hoop B andthe toes'D. should be omitted, and the legs G secured to the side of the post by a cord or strap like E, precisely theresults described wouldrbe. produced. the object being to attach with facility a reservoir to the end of thepost and support thesame sojth nlt a quantity of antiseptic solution may he placed therein to penetrate the'wood, as described, in accordance with the natural l'ziws governing the case. Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is- The sack A, constructed and applied substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

' a w s. snrrnr witnesses:

A. Gnssr, H; R. HALSBY.

fence posts,'&c., and its 

